For the 2008 model year only, Bentley will build the Continental GT Speed, a sportier rendition of its popular luxury coupe and the most powerful car the company has ever produced.

While the displacement of the standard car's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 remains unchanged, a reworked engine- management system, new piston design and lighter connecting rods bump the Speed model's power figures up to 600 bhp and 553 lb.-ft. of torque — increases of 9 and 15 percent, respectively — over the standard GT's.

The handling of the attractive all-wheel-drive 2-door is kicked up a notch thanks to improvements to the speed-sensitive steering, stiffer springs and dampers, a lowered ride height and sticky 20-in. Pirelli P Zero tires. Bentley says these changes allow the GT Speed to zoom from 0–60 mph in only 4.3 seconds — three tenths quicker than its more mild-mannered brethren.

Visual changes include lower front air intakes, a dark-tint chrome grille, wider exhaust tips and a new multi-spoke wheel design.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but a good estimate would be $199,990.